Mayor of London will have text messages and emails searched as part of procurement battle with data firm Palantir
London Mayor Sadiq Khan will have his text messages and emails searched as part of an ongoing legal battle with data firm Palantir, it has been reported.
Ministry urges councils to review ‘box-shifting’ schemes following Court of Appeal business rates ruling
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has written to local authorities responsible for business rates urging them to carry out a review of so-called ‘box-shifting’ schemes in light of a recent Court of Appeal ruling.
London borough fails in application for strike-out of part of social care procurement claim
The High Court has refused to strike out part of a contractor’s procurement claim against the London Borough of Tower Hamlets because the judge said the matter complained of could be cured by amendment.
South Kesteven becomes latest council to issue pre-action letter over local government reorganisation
South Kesteven District Council has joined the growing band of local authorities to send a pre-action protocol letter to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government over the Government’s decisions on Local Government Reorganisation (LGR).
Council launches consultation on proposed borough-wide PSPO
Havering Council has launched a consultation seeking views on plans to introduce a borough-wide Public Space Protection Order (PSPO).
Two more councils issue pre-action letters over local government reorganisation
Hertfordshire County Council and Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council have become the latest local authorities to send pre-action protocol letters to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, seeking clarity on how the government reached its decision on Local Government…
Three London boroughs turn to Sustainable Communities Act amid calls for Government to revisit “unfair” funding reforms
Three London councils have this week signalled their intention to submit proposals under the Sustainable Communities Act, calling on the Government to reconsider its proposed Fair Funding reforms.
Survey finds widespread adoption of AI by legal professionals but concerns remain over inaccurate information
A survey of more than 500 legal professionals carried out by LexisNexis has found that nearly all of them (94%) use AI for legal work, with a third (34%) using it daily.
Government sets up cross-government taskforce on community renewal
The Government is to launch a cross-government taskforce on community renewal and work with local leaders, after observing high streets “falling into disrepair” and communities being left behind.
Tenant awarded nearly £8k from landlord over unlicensed HMO
A tenant in Muswell Hill has been awarded almost £8,000 in rent after taking her landlord to tribunal over an unlicensed House in Multiple Occupation (HMO).
Housing sector bodies issue guidance for tackling damp and mould
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) have launched new guidance for tackling damp and mould in England’s housing sector.
Claimants win battle with council over compulsory purchase and indemnity costs
Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council must pay £150,000 on account to two people whose property it compulsorily purchased, the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) has said.
Land promoters and developers group calls for six more High Court judges specialising in planning cases
A property and development industries group has called for the appointment of at least six High Court judges to serve as planning specialists who would not sit on other types of cases.
Royal borough to challenge decision by planning inspector that metropolitan open land can be ‘grey belt’
A planning inspector has decided that metropolitan open land can count as ’grey belt’ and so be acceptable for development.
Councils under new duty to notify GPs, schools and other relevant bodies when child placed in temporary accommodation
As of this week (1 September), local authorities will have a duty to notify schools, GP practices and health visiting services when a child is placed in temporary accommodation.
Claimant based in Donbas and under sanctions loses appeal over council tax liability
A man whose finances had been frozen by the Government because of his activities in Russian-occupied Ukraine cannot as a result be exempt from paying council tax, the High Court has ruled.
Tribunal refuses application for certification that council was in contempt of court in Freedom of Information case
The First-tier Tribunal has refused an application to certify that the London Borough of Haringey was in contempt of court after the council disclosed information 17 days after the deadline set by the Tribunal in a freedom of information case.
Extra resourcing will be needed to handle prospective rise in cases once Hillsborough Law in force, says Law Society
The Law Society of England and Wales has said the justice system must be ready to deliver on the Hillsborough Law, ahead of an expected surge of cases when the legislation finally comes into effect.
Challenge over lack of education for child in GCSE year fails in High Court
The High Court has dismissed a judicial review claim contending that the London Borough of Southwark failed in its statutory duty to provide education for a child in her GCSE year.
Campaign group sends pre-action letter over motorway services approval
Lawyers acting for an independent residents’ group have sent a pre-action protocol letter for judicial review of North Yorkshire Council’s decision to approve a proposed motorway service area.
Housing sector issues guidance aimed at improving section 106 outcomes
The Chartered Institute of Housing, the National Housing Federation, the Home Builders Federation and the Local Government Association have hailed the development of new National S106 Affordable Housing Engagement Guidance.
Speech and Language therapy decision quashed over reasoning of Tribunal
The Upper Tribunal has quashed a decision of the First-tier Tribunal made in relation to the Education, Health and Social Care Plan of a child, due to a mistake in one part of the tribunal's reasoning.
One in six people with a legal problem consult AI for advice: research
What is thought to be the first large-scale look at the public use of AI chatbots has revealed that around a sixth of people who have faced a legal issue over the past year have used an AI chatbot for help, advice, or information.
Council did not progress agreed works to home of disabled woman within appropriate timescales, Ombudsman finds
The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has criticised Nottingham City Council for failing to progress agreed works to a disabled woman’s home within appropriate timescales.
Council secures £500k confiscation order against ex-tenant over unlawful subletting
Westminster City Council has secured a confiscation order of nearly £500,000 against a former tenant the local authority prosecuted for fraudulently obtaining a council property in Pimlico and unlawfully subletting it.
Government to require increased oversight of enforcement industry
Independent oversight will be made mandatory for private bailiffs in England and Wales, requiring them to be accredited by the Enforcement Conduct Board (ECB) themselves, or to work for an enforcement firm that is, in order to obtain or renew the certificate they need to work, the Government has…
Former chief executive at council in Northern Ireland convicted of two charges connected to deletion of email
A former chief executive of Mid and East Antrim Council, Anne Donaghy, has been convicted of two charges connected to deleting or attempting to delete an email to prevent disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act, the BBC has reported.
Lincolnshire sends pre-action letter to Secretary of State over local government reorganisation
Lincolnshire County Council has issued a pre-action protocol letter to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government regarding the Government's decision on local government reorganisation (LGR) in its area.
FOI privilege ruling "erodes public interest test", says Scottish Commissioner in Supreme Court appeal
The Scottish Information Commissioner is seeking leave to appeal to the UK Supreme Court for the first time in the office's history, challenging a Court of Session ruling that overturned his order requiring the Scottish Government to disclose legally privileged communications about its decision to…
Ministers call on councils to review plans for increasing supply of council homes
Ministers have urged councils to review their plans for increasing the supply of council homes, consider how council-owned land and buildings could be used for housebuilding, and make full use of section 106 opportunities.
MPs and peers call for comprehensive statutory guidance on children’s social care law to clarify rights and responsibilities
The Joint Committee on Human Rights (JCHR) has called for a single, comprehensive statutory guidance on children’s social care law in England to clarify the rights and responsibilities for disabled children, families and local authorities, after warning that care for disabled children is…
Counties warn of “deepening crisis” in rural homelessness
Some 23,000 children are growing up in temporary accommodation across England’s counties, up 70% since March 2020, analysis from the County Councils Network (CCN) has revealed.
Birmingham applies for injunction over “unauthorised attachments” including flags on highways
Birmingham City Council has this week submitted an injunction application to the High Court as part of its efforts to prohibit unauthorised attachments on the highway, including flags, and banners.
Online Procedure Rule Committee publishes draft practice direction for possession proceedings
The Online Procedure Rule Committee (OPRC) has published a draft practice direction intended to provide early visibility of the proposed procedure rules that will support the new digital service for possession proceedings.
North of England housing association to set up £3.6m legal services framework
Castles & Coasts Housing Association (CCHA) is to establish a multi-supplier framework for the provision of legal services worth an estimated £3.6m over four years.
Judge rejects legal challenge over £125k Community Infrastructure Levy liability and new evidence
An attempt by a developer to challenge Swindon Borough Council over the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) has failed because the claimant had a suitable alternative remedy and the claim was out of time.
High Court judge rejects legal challenge to library closure and reorganisation plans
A local campaign group has been refused permission to take Caerphilly County Borough Council to judicial review after Mr Justice Kimblin found the authority had acted correctly over a library reorganisation.
Ombudsman criticises “delay and drift” in planning enforcement case
Mid Suffolk District Council took an unreasonably long time to respond to a resident’s concerns about planning enforcement, and should apologise and pay him £300, the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has said.
Local government reorganisation “a timely opportunity” to reset how work of councillor is financially supported, says LGA
Working age councillors find it increasingly hard to hold down a job and carry out their council duties and are struggling financially as council remuneration levels “make it almost impossible” to dedicate enough hours to the role without additional income.
Councils should clearly signpost right to challenge council tax bill through Valuation Tribunal: Ombudsman
The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has warned that thousands of people could be missing out on a free way to challenge their council tax bill, and has urged councils to clearly signpost this right to individuals.
Disabled man settles case against city council for false imprisonment and breaches of human rights
A disabled man has settled his case against Bristol City Council for false imprisonment and breaches of his human rights for £25,000.
High Court strikes out wide-ranging claim against schools, headteachers and public sector bodies
The High Court has struck out the entirety of a £2.8m claim brought by a child and his mother against a London borough, a number of schools, an NHS trust, a housing association and others arising from the child’s education, health and recreational services.
Chief executive warns councillors over "unacceptable" emails which could pose “significant legal risks”: report
Durham County Council Chief Executive John Hewitt has warned councillors that "unacceptable" emails sent this month could pose "potentially significant legal risks" to the local authority, according to the BBC.
London borough refers fake council letter about asylum seekers to Met Police
Bexley Council has said it has referred a “fake letter”, which claimed that asylum seekers were being moved into homes across the borough, to the Metropolitan Police.
Council rules out judicial review of approval of solar farm due to “insufficient grounds”
Newark and Sherwood District Council has said it will not pursue a judicial review of the Government’s decision to approve the One Earth Solar Farm after receiving legal advice.
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Events
Minerals webinar series - Part 3: Environmental assessment - Landmark Chambers
07-09-2026
Online (live)
Planning Enforcement Prosecutions & PACE - Ivy Legal 
Construction Law Update - Hugh James 
Breakfast Briefing on the NPPF 2026: Homes in Connected Places Stations, Density and the New “default yes” - Francis Taylor Building
07-09-2026
London
Appearing at Local Plan Examinations: Top Tips for making your contribution - Cornerstone Barristers
07-09-2026 11:00 am
Online (live)
Essential climate related law updates across practice areas - Cornerstone Barristers
07-09-2026 3:00 pm
Online (live)
Injunctions: Practical Guidance for Local Authorities and Public Bodies - Francis Taylor Building
08-09-2026
London
PATC | Prosecution pitfalls - Hugh James 
Welsh Housing Law Masterclasses - 4-5 Grays Inn Square 
Converting leisure contracts to the agency model: best practice and benefits - Blake Morgan
10-09-2026
Online (live)
Public Law Conference 2026 - Spire Barristers 
AML Compliance Webinar - Devonshires 
Law Enforcement Data Processing and Part 3 of the DPA 2018 - Act Now
10-09-2026 10:00 am
Online (live)
Introduction to Restructuring and Insolvency: Understanding the Fundamentals for Public Sector Organisations - DWF
10-09-2026 11:00 am
Online (live)
Certified Data Protection Officer Training (CDPO) - The Training Centre
14-09-2026 9:00 am
Online (live)
Cornerstone on the Court of Protection – Annual Training Conference - Cornerstone Barristers
14-09-2026 9:00 am
London
HMPL Building Blocks: Defending Disrepair Claims - Law and Procedure - Devonshires
15-09-2026
Online (live)
Subject Access Requests under the GDPR: A new weapon in the employment claimant’s arsenal? - 42BR
15-09-2026
Online (live)
Driving Renewable and Sustainable Development in the Public Sector - DWF
15-09-2026 11:00 am
Online (live)
Lewin Conference 2026 - New Square Chambers 